Universal canister flush valve

Abstract

A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A universal canister flush valve, comprising:
 a valve body configured to fixedly couple to a toilet and having a hollow wall defining a flow passage; 
 a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; 
 a float configured to move relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float comprising:
 an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, which is open; 
 an inner wall configured to move along the guide post; 
 a bottom wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall; 
 at least one first opening in the outer wall at a first distance from the first end; and 
 at least one second opening in the outer wall a second distance from the first end; and 
 
 a covering member that adjustably couples to the float, wherein the covering member covers at least one first opening in a first position to define a first overflow height and the at least one second opening in a second position to define a second overflow height. 
 
     
     
       2. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the float is open and wherein the covering member covers all of the first and second openings in a third position to define a third overflow height. 
     
     
       3. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the covering member includes one or more annular bands. 
     
     
       4. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the covering member includes one or more plugs. 
     
     
       5. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more plugs are formed in an outer wall of the float. 
     
     
       6. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more plugs formed in the outer wall at least partially fills one of the first opening or the second opening and includes perforations that extended intermittently through the outer wall. 
     
     
       7. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more plugs formed in the outer wall fills one of the first opening or the second opening and includes perforations that do not extend fully through the outer wall. 
     
     
       8. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner wall of the float configured to move along the guide post; and 
 a disc rotatably coupled to the float and disposed adjacent to the top of the inner wall, such that relative rotation between the float adjusts at least one port of the disc relative to at least one opening in the top of the inner wall to change a flow area. 
 
     
     
       9. A universal canister flush valve, comprising:
 a valve body configured to fixedly couple to a toilet and having a hollow wall defining a flow passage; 
 a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; 
 a float configured to move relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float comprising:
 an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, which is open; 
 an inner wall configured to move along the guide post; and 
 a bottom wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, the bottom wall comprising a first opening defining a flow area through the bottom wall and a second opening having a plug therein, 
 
 wherein the plug is configured to be removed to increase a flow area through the bottom wall, and thus change a timing of a flush valve. 
 
     
     
       10. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 9 , wherein the plug is placed in the second opening. 
     
     
       11. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 9 , wherein the plug is formed in the bottom wall. 
     
     
       12. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 11 , wherein the plug formed in the bottom wall fills most of the second opening and includes perforations that extend intermittently through the bottom wall. 
     
     
       13. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 11 , wherein the plug formed in the bottom wall completely fills the second opening and includes perforations that do not extend fully through the bottom wall. 
     
     
       14. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 11 , wherein the second opening comprises two openings defining different flow areas, each opening having a plug therein. 
     
     
       15. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 11 , wherein the first opening comprises a slot. 
     
     
       16. The universal canister flush valve of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a disc rotatably coupled to the float and disposed adjacent to the top of the inner wall, such that relative rotation between the float adjusts at least one port of the disc relative to at least one opening in the top of the inner wall to change a flow area. 
 
     
     
       17. A toilet assembly comprising:
 a toilet including a tank fluidly coupled to a bowl; and 
 a universal canister flush valve comprising:
 a valve body configured to fixedly couple to the tank and having a hollow wall defining a flow passage, the flow passage being configured to direct flush water from the tank to the bowl during a flush cycle of the toilet; 
 
 a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; 
 a float configured to move relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float comprising:
 an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, which is open; 
 an inner wall configured to move along the guide post; and 
 a bottom wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, the bottom wall comprising a first opening defining a flow area through the bottom wall and a second opening having a plug therein, 
 
 wherein the plug is configured to be removed to increase a flow area through the bottom wall, and thus change a timing of the flush cycle. 
 
     
     
       18. The toilet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the plug is formed in the bottom wall. 
     
     
       19. The toilet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second opening comprises two openings defining different flow areas, each opening having a plug therein. 
     
     
       20. The toilet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the universal canister flush valve further comprises:
 a disc rotatably coupled to the float and disposed adjacent to the top of the inner wall, such that relative rotation between the float adjusts at least one port of the disc relative to at least one opening in the top of the inner wall to change a flow area.